MUSKEGON, MI – In its first eight years, The Muskegon Cars for Cancer Car and Bike Show has raised $87,418.55 for the Johnson Family Center for Cancer Care.

The Cars for Cancer Car and Bike Show has raised $87,418.55 for the Johnson Family Center for Cancer Care in its first eight years. Courtesy Photo

When the ninth annual event takes place on Sept. 1 and Sept. 2, organizers are optimistic that they will raise their largest single-year contribution to date, thanks to a very special donation.

This year, a 1971 Mercury Comet will be raffled off as part of the show. The car was donated to the Different Strokes Car Club by Maureen Wierema, whose husband Nick lost his battle with cancer in October 2012. Before his death, Nick had been restoring the vehicle. Maureen decided to donate the vehicle in her husband’s memory in hopes that a fellow car lover will continue the restoration.

“Nick never considered a car to be done,” Maureen Wierema said in a statement. “So, make it your own, respect it as a classic and have fun with it. Risk a speeding ticket and burn some rubber off the tires. He would!”

Bill Hill of the Different Strokes Car Club said the car show usually generates $14,000 to $15,000 each year. He is optimistic that raffling off the car off will generate close to $20,000 on its own. Raffle tickets are $5 each or five for $20.

“I think $35,000 to $40,000 is a realistic goal for this year's show,” Hill said.

The car show, which will be held at the Mercy Health Partners Lakes Village on Pontaluna Road, will present awards in 39 classes of cars with three trophies awarded in each class.

The Knights of Columbus will prepare a pancake breakfast from 7:30 to 10 a.m. and a hot dog and hamburger lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A kick-off party will be held from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Sept. 1. and the event's annual classic car cruise will begin at 6:30 p.m.

“We’re going to cruise around Spring Lake,” Hill said. “This year we’re going to head out to the north side Grand Haven channel as well. It should be a really nice event.”

Live music, kids games and and engine blow also will take place as part of the two-day event.

All of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the Johnson Family Center for Cancer Care.

“We’ve dictated that all the funds will go to patient care,” Hill said. “We want to use it for folks who might not have enough money to pay for care. There’s a great need out there and sometimes it’s hard to know where to help. So, we pretty much rely on the people at Johnson’s for that.”